By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with the people of Sierra Leone while safeguarding the integrity of its visa system and the security of American citizens.

In furtherance of that objective, the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, in collaboration with the Supreme Islamic Council of Sierra Leone (SICRSL), on December 15, 2025 hosted a Visa Security and Anti-Fraud Workshop for Muslim religious leaders. The engagement brought together more than 200 imams and Muslim community leaders from across the country.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Chargé d’Affaires Jared Yancey, Director, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Emmanuel AB Turay and Secretary General of the Supreme Islamic Council of Sierra Leone, Sheik Ibrahim Barrie.

Addressing participants, Chargé d’Affaires Jared Yancey emphasized the importance of responsible visa use, noting that adherence to visa conditions is critical to maintaining trust and security. “Visas must be used for their intended purpose as the integrity of our system is essential to protecting American interests,” he stated.

The workshop also highlighted the range of consular services available to American citizens and underscored the vital role community leaders play in raising awareness and preventing visa fraud. Speakers stressed that partnerships with trusted institutions such as SICRSL are key to promoting lawful travel, protecting communities and preserving the credibility of international migration systems.

The U.S. Embassy expressed appreciation to the Supreme Islamic Council of Sierra Leone for its cooperation and leadership, reaffirming its commitment to continued collaboration. Both institutions pledged to work together to combat visa fraud, uphold U.S. law and advance shared values of responsibility, security and mutual respect. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/u-s-embassy-supreme-islamic-council-host-visa-security-and-anti-fraud-workshop-for-imams/